Editor,
It’s really a huge tragedy for the family members who lost their beloved ones due to falling boulders at Ryngngain near Pynursla. Other travelers who were also affected by this accident, for no fault of theirs, are being hospitalised and have to undergo a lot of trauma. But such accidents could have been avoided if the contractors responsible for implementing the road project had given priority to the safety of commuters who are using this busy road. The callous attitude of the contractor has led to the loss of precious lives as well as economic loss to the family of the departed souls, if those who lost their lives are breadwinners. The economic loss has impacted not just these families, but everyone who depends on this road for their livelihoods, not to mention hundreds of tourists who use this route to visit Dawki and other tourist spots in the area. They had to cancel their schedule and this too has created an economic loss to guest house owners and other locals who depend on tourism for employment. That a pressure group, as reported in the Shillong Times, had petitioned the SDO (Civil) Pynursla on April 6, regarding their concern for safety of commuters on this particular stretch of road but that their concern was ignored speaks of the callousness of government officials whose brief it is to ensure that safety measures are in place. Had prompt action been taken by the concerned authority then this mishap could have been averted.
Yours etc.,
Stanley LK Diengdoh
Umsning, Ri Bhoi District
A disaster foretold
Editor,
Once upon a time the entire ridge between Mawkhap and Pynursla was full of greenery, captivating the first time visitor. Now the entire route is facing an environmental catastrophe leading to drop in water sources, landslides, caving of roads and dangerous driving conditions. The recent incident of an entire hillock with boulders coming down onto unsuspecting commuters was expected with all the road construction activities. The loss of precious human lives cannot be compensated with money The Headman of Wahlyngkhat was a friend of mine and we had interacted on several issues related to the local community. His sudden demise along with his friend is regrettable. However, it is ironic that the local administration has failed to keep a check on this wanton excavation and did not do anything to control or regulate the way the extraction of boulders was being carried out by exporters.
The statement of the local MLA about filing an FIR does not absolve the culprits who are fired by extreme greed. Now who will be answerable to the families and moreover to the law after all this? Have we become such a lawless state and a lawless society where law enforcement is almost non-existent? Will those in authority care to answer these questions?
Yours etc..
Dominic S. Wankhar,
Via email
Power of social media in the rise of VPP
Editor,
Can we attribute the emergence and upswing of the Voice of Peoples’ Party (VPP) to social media? In the era of information technology, social media plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives, and its impact can be especially significant during the election season. With just one touch of a button, people can access information about political parties, candidates, and their platforms in a minute, making it a powerful tool that can significantly impact people’s minds.
In recent years, social media has become an essential aspect of political campaigning, and political parties and candidates have recognized its potential to sway public opinion. By creating social media profiles, posting content, and engaging with followers, political parties and candidates can reach a wider audience and appeal to younger voters who are more likely to consume information through social media.
In the recently concluded Meghalaya General Assembly Election, social media played a crucial role in shaping public opinion. While most national political parties invested vast amounts of money in advertisements on billboards and social media, they failed to have a significant impact on the minds of the people. This failure can be attributed to their inability to understand the people’s moods and create content that resonated with them.
On the other hand, the newly-formed VPP effectively utilized social media to create a significant impact. They increased the outreach of the party’s principles, vision, and speech of the Hon’ble MLA, Ardent Basaiawmoit, projecting him as the messiah who will wipe out corruption and uplift the Khasi tribe. The song “Ha U Prah” of the party has created a remarkable impact. It has gone viral on social media, effectively instilling the party’s name in people’s minds and especially in the minds of the youth.
Even today, the VPP maintains a strong presence on social media platforms such as YouTube. In contrast, regional parties such as the United Democratic Party (UDP) are conspicuously absent from these digital spaces, hindering their ability to generate the same level of excitement and engagement as the VPP.
Yours etc.,
Kenneth Nongsiej,
Via email